Maternity slip



June 24, 1930. R PATTEN 1,765,937

MATERNITY SLIP Filed May 51, 1929 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES RUTH H. PATTEN, OF BRAD'ENTON, FLORIDA MATERNITY SLIP Application filed my 31, 1929. Serial No. 367,395.

This invention relates to feminine apparel and has more particular reference to a species of undergarment which may be accurately designated as a maternity slip, which as the name implies, is especially adapted to be worn by a prospective mother.

In carrying the invention into practice I have evolved and produced a simple and inexpensive garment which is precisely patterned to adapt it for maternity use in that it is characterized by certain self adjusting and hand adjusted features permitting neat conformation to the varying figu're, while at the same time maintaining a comfortable and tidy fit, and further maintaining a substantially even hanging hem line at the bottom.

This novel garment is characterized by a combination bodice and skirt portion formed from three pieces of material so shaped and stitched together as to allow for automaticincrease in girth and to allow for increase in length to cause the front part of the hem to hang even and straight.

Other structural features and advantages of this unique garment will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a frontelevation of the com- 'plete maternity slip as constructed in accordance with the present invention. I

Figure 2 is an inside elevational view of the waist band portion thereof.

Figure 3 is a section taken approximately on-the plane of the line 33 of Figure 2.

In making the garment I have found it expedient to utilize three pieces of material of appropriate fabric'ortexture. The reference character 4 designates for example the major section which constitutes the main' portion of the bodice and skirt. The reference character 5 designates an upper front piece, and 6 a lower front piece. These being joined together to provide the so called automatically adjustable waist band portion.

The reference character 7 designates stitching at the bottom defining the usual hem and 8 designates a gathered annulus at the top which in practice is preferably provided at its front with encased elastic to allow for increase in proportion at this point. The reference characters 9 designate suitable shoulder straps. The reference character 10 designates centralized vertically disposed gathers or tucks which provide the desired fullness for the bust. As seen in Figure 2, and as detailed in Figure 3 the reference character 11 designates a circumferentially extending pocket forming a waist line band, and containing adjustable elastic 12. Under normal condition this pocket is gathered somewhat as shown in Figure 2 at which time one end of the elastic is extended as seen in the same figure. The reference character 13 designates a snap fastener which cooperates with the complemental fastener on the body portion permitting the desired fit under normal conditions and the gradual adjustment under the progressive condition. This circumferentially adjustable band allows a limited degree of expansion during initial enlargement of the abdomen, and the adjustable fasteners an abnormal condition to be fully taken care of. The gist of the idea however is in the provision of a circumferentially expansible girth band. Just beneath this band the front piece 6 is formed with gathers as at 14 to permit this part of the garment to have the desired fullness as the girth band is stretched. Above the girth band and formed in the'portion 5 arehorizontally disposed plaits 15 having temporary stitches to allow them to be taken out with increase of length of the front portion of the slip. With this arrangement the plaits are ripped out as conditions require to insure proper hanging of the forward portion of the garment. Thus the waist band portion of the garment is so made as to allow for circumferential expansion, as well as the vertical adjustment, and these two adjustments will be found sufficient, it is believed, to accommodate the wearer.

It is thought that by considering the description in connection with the drawings a clear understanding of the construction and advantages and features of the invention will be had, therefore a more lengthy description is believed to be unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, materials, and

rearrangements of features coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. As a new product of manufacture, a maternity. slip comprising a combination garment including a bodice and girth, said bodice having shoulder straps, and being provided at its top with a normally gathered annulus, the waist band portion of said garment being formed with a horizontally disosed pocket containing an elastic band orming an automatically adjustable girth, the portion of the garment above said irth being formed with a pluralit of horizontally disposed plaits defined y temporary stitching, whereby to allow for length adjustment.

2. As a new product of manufacture, a maternity slip of the class described comrising a combination garment including ody and skirt portions constructed from three distinct pieces of material; namely, a

body section constituting the major portion of the complete garment, an upper front section and a lower front section, said front sections being circumferentially gathered adjacent their respective upper ends to provide the desirable fullness for expansive I purpose, said front sections being joined together through the medium of a horizontal pocket of .a predetermined length. said pocket being circumferentially gathered under the action of an elastic tape contained therein, and the upper section being formed with horizontal length adjusting plaits.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. RUTH H. PATTEN. 

